Detritus

In biology, detritus ( or ) is organic matter made up of the decomposing remains of organisms and plant material, and also of feces. Detritus usually hosts communities of microorganisms that colonize and decompose (remineralise) it. Such microorganisms may be decomposers, detritivores, or coprophages. In terrestrial ecosystems detritus is present as plant litter and other organic matter that is intermixed with soil, known as soil organic matter. The detritus of freshwater ecosystems are mostly leaf litter and other decaying organic materials. These are decomposed by microbes, and small invertebrates that shred leaves or filter feed suspended organic matter. The detritus of marine ecosystems are organic substances suspended in the water and accumulated in depositions on the floor of the body of water; when this floor is a seabed, such a deposition is called marine snow.